This is your SolarWakeup for February 22nd, 2019

Live! In Boston, DISCOUNT CODE. The agenda for SolarWakeup Live! Is almost final and we’ve got a very good and informative topics on deck. If you haven’t been to one of our events, you’ll get an inside look to the business and policies that make the market move. Use DISCOUNT CODE SWLB20 for 20% off your ticket at solarwakeuplive.com 

Ratebasing Boondoggles. A brutal report for IOUs is out that is just plain nuts. Here are some stats about the spending by utilities which favors spending more and getting less since making money for shareholders is based on that dynamic. Transmission project spending is averaging $20billion per year up from $2billion per year in 1990. Many projects go forward with competitive bids and utilities are averaging 34% higher than estimated costs on those projects. On the other hand, when competition is allowed, bids come in 40% below those same estimates. Next time you hear monopolies talk about cost shift for solar, remember the states on rate based projects as one more reason that competition is key. 

Point Counterpoint, GND Edition. Former NARUC President, Travis Kavulla, writes in the National Review about the Green New Deal. Reading between the lines, Travis is more focused on arguing that the utility model needs to change. His concern is that a Green New Deal would lead to major rate basing of projects by utility monopolies that reward higher cost, less efficient projects (see above) before transitioning to his further point. “Why not instead, if consumers are demanding clean energy, adopt policies that would make it easier for them to get it through their own choices? What the United States needs is not a Green New Deal. It needs a Customer Empowerment Act. Only 13 states allow all customers a choice of electricity supplier.” Case in point, GND gets clicks and using that to argue for consumer choice is worth it. 

South Carolina Outlook. A new solar bill has passed the South Carolina State House and it heads to the Senate. It is a compromise based on a year of negotiation and a pretty contentious legislative session in 2018. However, when voted on in the house, it passed 110-0 and will now be heard in the Senate. 

School Walkout, T-Shirt Ideas. On March 15th, thousands of kids will walk out of schools to make a case for elected officials to protect the environment for their future. While my kids (8 and 7) will probably be asked to stay in the classroom, I am hoping they indulge me in a t shirt messaging. I’d love to get your thoughts on t-shirts that are appropriate and clever! Send your recommendations by hitting reply. 

Opinion

Have a great day!

Yann